The end of LGBTQ+ Pride Month brought with it many celebrations, reflections, and some painful reminders from the United States Supreme Court (SCOTUS) about the state of affairs facing LGBTQ+ communities in our country, and around the world. In the case 303 Creative LLC v. Elenis, SCOTUS codified into law the bigoted notion that our First Amendment right protects discriminatory actions perpetrated against minority communities, including LGBTQ+ people.

In response to this dangerous ruling from SCOTUS, our Executive Director Glennda Testone, made the following statement:

“Today, the Supreme Court of The United States has sanctioned discrimination toward the LGBTQ+ community. At The Center, we believe in and work toward justice for those harmed by systemic oppression, especially in the name of religion. History has taught us that denying equitable and fair treatment to a specific class of people based on one’s religious beliefs has deadly consequences. Today’s decision will expose LGBTQ+ people to widespread policies that further chip away at the rights that the highest court in the land should ensure are available to all Americans. In New York, The Center is committed to advocating for the rights of all LGBTQ+ people and to ensuring that the businesses in our communities treat all people with dignity, respect, and equity.” - Glennda Testone, Executive Director, The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Community Center (New York City)

We will not accept this direction for our country. With the critical case L.W. vs. Skrmetti — in which parents of a trans teenager have challenged Tennessee’s ban on gender-affirming care for youth — potentially heading to the Supreme Court, it’s more important than ever to remain aware and ready to spring into action.

Sign up to join the RiseOut Action Team – help us fight the normalization of anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric and government actions!

Heading: Celebrating the Intersections of Our Identities

Nobody fits neatly in a box — and that includes Black LGBTQ+ people, who aren’t included often enough in conversations about racial justice and reckoning in our country. We’re committed to offering spaces for folks to celebrate all of their identities, bring themselves and feel acknowledged in every way possible.

Read more about Juneteenth Pride events across the country, including at The Center.

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